My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of

is so pretty,

a knife and a

box to the side.

that, the head of the group, which happened to be a little girl in pigtails,

sing the ‘Happy Birthday’

must close her eyes and

Rachel must blow out the

to indicate to Julian that there was no need to go

lit the candles and had the children sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

your birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud, or the wish

wasn’t even at table height yet looking up at her with pretty, sparkling

made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give the cake out

say thank you!” their parents

on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the community suddenly seemed closer

finally smiled for the first time in days. Thank

be so courteous with me.” Walking her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your

worry about me. I never wanted it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed for now. At that point, Rachel’s expression

child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so

she turned and

was inside her apartment

slam, the door was propped

his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on business? she

himself, he slid sideways into the house

been getting along fine without

two steps

stalked toward her as he pulled off his necktie and threw it

as he sneered, “I suppose you wouldn’t want me to ruin your

step he approached her, forcing

Rachel had no idea what

arm and pulled, she staggered after